How to turn your phone’s camera into a Pixel camera

Google has touted its Pixel camera as one of the best available on smartphones, and now Android users with modern devices can download a modified version of the app.

The modded app was posted by Ukrainian developer B-S-G to the 4PDA developer forum, but there is a single caveat to the modification: it only works on devices running a Snapdragon 820, 821, and 835 chipset.

That’s a significant chunk of the high-end Android phone market, but it means that mid-range and low-end devices won’t be able to take advantage of the Pixel camera’s speed or manual modes.

If you own an LG G6, a OnePlus 5, or a Samsung Galaxy S8, here’s how to download and install the Pixel camera on your device.

Step One: Allow the installation of third-party apps

The modded Pixel camera app isn’t available through Google’s Play Store, meaning that like all third-party installations, you’re going to need to make sure your phone permits the installation of apps from sources other than the Play Store.

To enable the feature, go to Settings, scroll down to Security, scroll to Unknown Sources, enable the feature, and hit ‘OK.’

Step two: Download the modded Pixel camera APK

Normally, you’d be able to download Android APKs from a source like APKMirror, but in the case of this particular app, you’re going to need to download it from Android File Host.

While MobileSyrup can speak to the authenticity of the file we downloaded from Android File Host, it must be mentioned that we can’t verify the authenticity of every file downloaded from third-party sources.

Be careful whenever downloading APKs from unverified sources, as they may continue harmful software — like malware or adware — that could negatively affect your device.

When you attempt to install the app, your phone will ask you if you’re sure you want to download a file from an unknown source; select ‘OK’ to continue.

Step three: Install and happy photographing

After the file’s installed, open the downloaded APK, and select install.

Once it’s done installing, launch the Pixel camera app, and test it out.

A word of wisdom, the Pixel camera requires four specific device permissions, and preventing it from accessing those parts of your device will mean the app simply won’t work.

A few caveats, and some reminders

In our tests using an HTC U11, we found the Pixel camera actually produced a lower quality image than the U11’s default camera.

The reasons shouldn’t be too surprising.

While the Pixel’s camera was certainly one of the best available to would-be smartphone photographers when the phone was released, it’s important to recognize that the phone itself was specifically engineered with the camera in mind.

This means that using the camera app on a phone that doesn’t have the Pixel’s camera sensors wouldn’t necessarily produce the same photo quality.

Next, the Pixel is almost an entire year old, and in that time, newer phones with better cameras have been released.

In the case of something like the Samsung Galaxy S8 — which already has one of the best smartphone cameras on the market — there’s no doubt that it might actually be better to use the phone’s original camera app instead of the Pixel camera.

Still, for those looking for a facsimile of the Pixel photography experience, this app mod is an interesting option.

Keep in mind the Pixel camera app is really meant to shine in low light scenarios thanks to the HDR+ mode which uses mathematical wizardry and a different approach to HDR to take far better low light performance. It’s a massive low light improvement on a OnePlus 3.

Dan man

ya i think my g5 camera app works better for normal scenarios. Just tried a couple of photos, i like the g5 more. Going to try some low light photos.

Arian Hajiakbar

Same here but on my HTC 10. Quality of low light photos are much better on HTC stock camera.

EP_2012

HDR+ is intended for high contrast scenes, but some will find it helps in low-light. Either way, it blows away the stock camera on my OP3 🙂

Canadiana Jones

That is if you like high contrast pictures. I hate that it mushes all the shadows into one black spot.

EP_2012

Hmm. That’s not the effect I get – in high contrast photos, HDR+ tends to be the only way to bring down the highlights and get proper exposure in those areas while keeping the dynamic range quite good in the shadows.

If you’ve been having problems with it, try changing the exposure point (tap to focus/expose) and/or adjust the EV level before snapping the photo and see if that helps.

Canadiana Jones

Thanks for advise, I’ll give it a shot.

Canadiana Jones

OnePlus 3T here. The quality of stock is much better for my liking. With Google’s HDR+ I’m loosing so much detail in shadows.

Smanny

If this app isn’t on the play store. Then right there people should stay away from this app.

h2oflyer

The Play store isn’t everything. Nothing wrong with APK’s, I’ve used many with no problems, involves a bit of common sense.

APK’s such as ad blockers like Block This work great and obviously aren’t available on Play store.

dc2000

Tried it with my S8+, I’ll keep both camera apps in a folder but for most night time or close to night time shots this apk does the trick! Even during the day, more contrast-y photos, but either way I’ll be keeping both. Pretty impressive stuff.